# Orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines) > A small spring butterfly: males have bright orange tips on their forewings, females are plain white; caterpillars feed on wild crucifers. Source: https://insectscanner.com/species/orange-tip/ (updated 2026-10-10) ## Is it dangerous? **Non-toxic.** Harmless to people. Adults do not bite or sting and are not poisonous. No special first aid is needed. **Pets:** Harmless to pets; not toxic if touched or accidentally eaten in small amounts, though ingestion of any insect could upset a pet's stomach. ## Quick facts - Scientific name: Anthocharis cardamines - Order: Lepidoptera (Butterflies and moths) - Family: Pieridae (Whites and yellows) - Size: 45-50 mm wingspan - Colours: White, Orange, Green (mottled underside), Black (wing tips and markings) - Habitat: Meadows, hedgerows, woodland edges, damp grassland, roadside verges and gardens where cruciferous plants grow - Range: Widespread across Europe into temperate parts of Asia - Active: Spring to early summer (typically April to June, varying with latitude); active during daylight, especially in sunshine - Lifespan: Adults: a few weeks (single spring flight); full life cycle: one generation per year - Effect on plants: Minor herbivore - Pest: no ## Overview Anthocharis cardamines (the Orange-tip) is a widespread spring butterfly in much of Europe and temperate Asia. Adults are among the first butterflies on the wing in spring and are often seen over meadows, hedgerows and damp grassland where their larval foodplants grow. Males are easily recognised by the bright orange patches on the tips of their forewings; females lack the orange and are mostly white with greenish mottling on the undersides. The species is not harmful to people and is not considered an agricultural pest of significance, since larvae mainly use wild crucifers. Orange-tips lay single eggs on flower buds and young seedpods of cruciferous plants. The caterpillars are green and well camouflaged on their foodplants. There is one main generation per year in most of its range; adults live for a few weeks while mating and laying eggs. ## How to identify it Adult males: white forewings with a vivid orange patch on the outer half of each forewing, bordered and tipped with black; hindwings white. Females: lack orange, appear white from above but share the same black marginal markings. Underside of hindwing has mottled green marbling that provides camouflage when the butterfly rests with wings closed. Wingspan typically about 45-50 mm. Caterpillar: slender, bluish-green above with a white stripe along each side, about 30 mm when mature. - Male: white wings with bright orange patch at the tip of each forewing, plus black marking on the wing edge. - Female: lacks orange patch—plain white above but with similar black marginal markings; underside of hindwing mottled green in both sexes. - Wingspan about 45-50 mm; when at rest, the mottled green underside helps distinguish it from many other white butterflies. ## Lookalikes - **Small White** (Pieris rapae): Small White lacks the male orange tips and has simpler black spots; underside of hindwing not mottled green. - **Green-veined White** (Pieris napi): Green-veined White shows greenish veins on the underside of hindwing rather than the marbled pattern and both sexes lack orange tips. - **Brimstone (female)** (Gonepteryx rhamni): Brimstone has distinctly leaf-shaped wings and more yellowish tones; different wing shape and venation. ## Life cycle - **Egg:** Laid singly on flower buds or young seedpods of cruciferous plants in spring. - **Larva (caterpillar):** Green caterpillar feeds on flowers, buds and seedpods; well camouflaged on hostplants. - **Pupa (chrysalis):** The chrysalis is attached to vegetation and overwinters, lasting about ten months until the adult emerges the following spring. - **Adult (butterfly):** Emerges in spring, mates and females lay eggs on hostplants; adults feed on nectar from a variety of flowers. ## Diet and predators - Young eat: Flowers, buds and seedpods of cruciferous plants (Brassicaceae) such as cuckooflower and garlic mustard. - Adults eat: Nectar from a variety of spring flowers (e.g., cuckooflower, dandelion, sallow). - Predators of the young: Parasitic wasps and flies, predatory insects and birds. - Predators of adults: Insectivorous birds, spiders, and other predators of butterflies. ## Effect on plants and gardens Larvae feed on flowers, buds and seedpods of cruciferous plants (Brassicaceae) such as cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis), garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and several other wild mustards. Usually does not cause economic damage. ## Where and when to find it Adults: flying low over meadows, hedgerows, woodland edges and gardens. Eggs and caterpillars: on flower buds and young seedpods of cruciferous plants such as cuckooflower and garlic mustard. - Best time: Best seen April to June on sunny days, during daylight hours. - Tips: Look for males flashing orange as they patrol; photograph resting individuals from below to show the distinctive green-mottled underside. ## Fun facts - The orange 'tip' is only on the male; females are plain white and can be mistaken for other white species. - The green marbling on the underside makes the resting butterfly look like a leaf, helping it avoid predators. - Orange-tips are often one of the first butterflies seen in spring, timing their flight to coincide with the flowering of their hostplants. ## Frequently asked questions ### Are orange-tip butterflies dangerous? No. Orange-tips are harmless to people and pets; they do not bite or sting. ### Do orange-tip caterpillars damage garden plants? They feed on cruciferous plants, but they mostly use wild species like cuckooflower and rarely cause significant damage in gardens. ### Why do I have orange-tips in my garden in spring? If your garden or nearby verges have wild crucifers or flowerbeds that include spring-flowering plants, it provides food and egg-laying sites for orange-tips. ### How can I attract orange-tip butterflies? Plant native cruciferous hostplants (for larvae) such as cuckooflower or allow some wild mustard to grow, and provide nectar sources like dandelions and other spring flowers. ### How do I tell male and female orange-tips apart? Males have the distinctive orange patch on the tips of their forewings; females lack the orange and appear plain white from above. ### When can I see orange-tip butterflies? Look in spring and early summer (typically April to June) during sunny days; they fly low over meadows and hedgerows. --- More about this species: [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/51495), [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthocharis_cardamines). Identify insects and spiders from a photo with the Insect Scanner iPhone app: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1543946563?pt=126685406&ct=web-markdown&mt=8 Identification from photos is never certain: don't handle insects you can't identify, and get medical advice for bites, stings or allergic reactions.